What elements must an after-action review include to ensure follow-up actions are completed?

• A. A simple list of observations.
• B. Identified actions, owners, and timelines.
• C. A qualitative morale summary.
• D. A generic risk assessment.

Answer: (B)

To ensure follow-up actions are completed, an after-action review must specify concrete actions, assign responsibility, and set deadlines. Turning observations into explicit tasks makes what needs to be done clear. Assigning owners creates accountability—someone is personally responsible for each action. Setting timelines provides a schedule for completion and a basis for tracking progress. This combination closes the loop effectively, allowing you to monitor, adjust, and verify improvements over time.

A simple list of observations lacks actionability because there’s no clear work to do or who will do it. A qualitative morale summary centers on feelings rather than tasks to be completed. A generic risk assessment offers broad risk context but doesn’t translate into assigned, time-bound steps for improvement.